How to Get a 3D Print Made in Ireland Without Owning a Printer

Last updated October 2026

You don’t need a 3D printer to get something 3D printed in Ireland. Upload your STL, 3MF or STEP file to Rapid3D.ie and you’ll get an exact price instantly, from €8. We print it in Dublin and send it by tracked An Post anywhere in the Republic of Ireland for €7.

No file? Download one from MakerWorld, Printables or Thingiverse. Check the licence allows commercial use, then upload it the same way.

Buying a printer, filament and the time to learn it can easily cost several hundred euro before you get a single good part. For one-off prints, a service is cheaper and faster. Here’s how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Get a print-ready file

A 3D printer needs a digital model to work from. The common file formats are STL, 3MF and STEP. If you designed the part yourself using Fusion, Onshape, SolidWorks or Tinkercad, export it as an STL or STEP file. If you set it up in Bambu Studio or PrusaSlicer, a 3MF file is ideal, especially for parts with more than one colour.

No file? Websites like Printables, MakerWorld and Thingiverse have hundreds of thousands of models. Check the licence before you order. Anything marked personal use or NC (non-commercial) means the designer hasn't allowed it to be printed for a fee. Look for CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA or CC BY-ND instead. Our homepage has a link to Printables with those filters already applied.

Step 2: Check your file before ordering

Three things often trip people up. The first is scale. STL files don't store units, so a part designed in inches can arrive tiny. Always check the dimensions in the preview. The second is thin walls. Anything thinner than 1mm may be too fragile or may not print at all. The third is fit. If two parts need to slot together, leave a gap of about 0.2 to 0.3mm between them, because printed parts are never perfectly exact.

Step 3: Choose your material

For most jobs it comes down to PLA or PETG.

PLA gives crisp detail and comes in the widest range of colours. It's stiff and ideal for models, display pieces, prototypes and desk items. Its weakness is heat. It starts to soften at around 60°C, so don't leave it on a car dashboard or in direct sunlight.

PETG is tougher and slightly flexible, so it survives knocks and bending better. It handles heat up to around 80°C and copes well outdoors. It's the better choice for functional parts, brackets, clips and anything that lives outside. The trade-off is a less crisp finish than PLA.

If you're unsure, PLA suits looks and PETG suits use.

Step 4: Get an instant quote

On Rapid3D.ie, drop your file into the quoting tool on the homepage, pick your material and colour, and your price appears straight away. There's no emailing back and forth or waiting a day for a quote. The price is based mainly on how much material your part uses. The minimum order is €8, excluding delivery.

Step 5: Order, print and delivery

Once you pay, a person reviews your file to check it will print properly and is safe to make. We then print it, inspect it, pack it and send it by tracked An Post delivery. Small prints can often be dispatched the same day. Larger prints take a little longer, and An Post usually delivers within 1 to 3 working days after that, so most orders arrive within a week. Delivery is €7 anywhere in the Republic of Ireland, and free on orders over €75.

What your print will look like

FDM printing builds your part one layer at a time. That means you'll see horizontal lines on the surface and small marks where supports were removed. This is how the process works, not a fault. Parts are strongest along their layers and weakest between them, so a part that needs to take force should be printed in the right orientation. Mention it in the order notes if strength matters.

What we can't print

We won't print copyrighted characters, logos or branded items without permission, weapons or weapon parts, items meant to touch food, or anything load-bearing or safety-critical such as climbing gear, car parts or child seat clips. The full list is in our FAQ.

Ready to get started?

Upload your file at rapid3d.ie for an instant price. Printed in Dublin and posted anywhere in the Republic of Ireland.